Survey: People Say Bottled Water Best

December 25, 1985

Concern for the safety of the nation`s water supply has contributed to consumer perception that bottled water is safer and more healthful than tap water even if consumption of non-tap water isn`t very high, according to a Better Homes and Gardens survey.

The survey found less than 6 percent of consumers feel tap water is the best source of safe and healthful water, ranking it well behind spring water (37 percent), distilled water (32 percent) and well water (10 percent).

However, only 17 percent of the respondents drink bottled water and fewer than 7 percent use it for ironing, ice, cooking and contact-lens cleaning. Safety, health and better taste than tap water are factors most respondents said would persuade them to try bottled water.

GIVING, BUT WISELY

Charity appeals seem to be everywhere, and remembering those with less at this time of year raises both their lot and your spirits; but don`t waste the gift, make the donation count.

Most charitable appeals are legitimate and will turn the money to good use, according to the National Council of Better Business Bureaus, but there are a few bad apples in any barrel.

To begin with, don`t be misled by the name of the group. Some shady operators have adopted names that closely resemble well-known charities. Look closely at the name of the organization soliciting you, and if in doubt, check with your local Better Business Bureau or the state charity registration office, usually a part of the state attorney general`s office.

Always make contributions by check, made out to the charity itself, not to the individual doing the collecting.

And keep records of your donations, the BBB urges. Receipts, canceled checks, bank statements and so forth will help as reminders and documentation at tax time.

Ask also if the contribution is tax deductible. The fact that a charity is tax exempt doesn`t mean that gifts to it are automatically deductible, the BBB reports.

Ask how much of the gift will go to actual charitable uses. Many groups simply say ``all proceeds`` go to charity. That is meaningless, since the proceeds are what is left after the cost of raising money, and that can be a lot or just pennies.

The BBB and the National Information Bureau keep track of charities and rate them against specific standards. Information on specific groups can be sought from the BBB Philanthropic Advisory Service in Washington, D.C., at (703) 276-0133; or write the NIB, 419 Park Ave. South, New York, N.Y., 10016.

BOOK PURCHASES UP

Though most Americans still don`t buy books, book purchases have risen in the past 15 years from approximately three books per person in 1970 to more than six in 1984, according to Megatrends author John Naisbitt. The number of books a person buys rises with education, income and occupational status; prime book buyers are in the steadily growing age group of 35 to 49 years old. Some 60 percent of the books produced in this country are paperback, with non- fiction titles slightly outselling fiction. Even with the popularity of computers, and a decline in readership among people under 21, books are not in danger of becoming obsolete. We enjoy them too much as quiet, portable entertainment. Besides, they don`t break down.